Understandably, comedian Jonathan Slocumb was hesitant to believe
this and replied, "Yeah, right... Seriously, who is this?"

The caller handed the phone over to another person and then
a female voice indicated she was Jordan's assistant. And that the NBA legend enjoyed
Slocumb's performance hosting the 1996 NAACP Image Awards a couple nights prior
so much he wanted Slocumb to host the launch of his new Nike shoe line, the
Jordan Brand. In two days. In Las Vegas.

"She asked, 'Will you be available?' 'Uh, give me one
second. Yes," Slocumb recalls, calling from Houston, Texas, where the comedian
is at a park with his son.

On Dec. 29, Slocumb, who attended Oakwood University and is now based in Los Angeles, will host
the 100 Black Men of America-Greater Huntsville Chapter's Holiday Gala, to be
held 6 p.m. at the Von Braun Center's North Hall (700 Monroe St.). Individual
tickets are $75 and reserved tables for eight can be purchase for $600. For
more information, call 256-536-8050.

Jonathan, you're known for your ability to perform for both mainstream
and faith-based audiences. What do you think enables you to do that?

Actually, that's the way a real, balanced person lives their
life. No balanced person is one-sided, so the same person that would enjoy the
music of, say, Shirley Caesar also enjoys the music of Patti LaBelle. Comedy is
the same thing. I happen to be an outspoken Christian person, but I believe in
balance and my audience believes the same thing.

The theme for the 100 Black Men Holiday Gala you're hosting
in Huntsville is "The 100 as One: Mission- Vision- Cause," which reflects the
organization's emphasis on mentorship. Who are a couple of key mentors that
have made a big difference in your career?

No question, that would be Bill Cosby and Sinbad. To me they're
the absolute best at this whole game, and who I have actual contact with and have
performed on stages with. They define everything I want to be. They get it.
They have a very diverse audience from all walks of life, and we all basically talk
about life. I've found a niche because a lot of people in the African-American
community are not impressed with profanity and negative depiction of women and
so forth.

What are some things you've come across in the last few
months that have made you laugh?

This is a festive time of year that families get together to
exchange gifts, and it's so funny that we work all year to get money to spend
for one day. One day. And we sing these things called Christmas carols that
nobody knows all the words to. On the 10th day of Christmas, what did my true
love give to me? Nobody knows. They just know the five golden rings.

On the TV series "The Steve Harvey Show" you played a funk
musician and in Tyler Perry's film "Meet the Browns" you played a pastor. Which
character did you identify with more?

Actually the funk band. Music really fuels my comedy and my
writing, and my full show has a lot of music in it. Oakwood was known for their
music contributions to the world, and I was given my first big break when I
toured with Take 6, and most of them went to Oakwood. The preacher for the
movie, all I did was watch some of those fake televangelists. I was just
representing all those horrific preachers out there who are preachers for tax
credits only. They don't care about people; they just want the tax credits.

You toured this past summer with the legendary soul singer
Aretha Franklin as her opening act and host. Was there a song that knocked you
out every night during her show more than "Respect"?

That's the one. She'd end with "Respect." And even to this
day, people cannot spell respect. You'd hear the audience (singing), " R – E –
S – T – B – T – P." They know the tune but they don't know how to spell
respect. Her show is still high-energy and the audience never leaves
unsatisfied.

You also recently completed a national tour of the stage
play "Cheaper To Keep Her," which starred Vivica Fox. Is she as good-looking in
person as she is on the screen?

This is how I describe Vivica: Imagine this beautiful,
elegant woman walking down a dark alley. And in one hand she has a white French
poodle, and in the other hand she has a black pitbull, and she's wearing Timberland
boots and a gown. That's Vivica Fox. She's as hardcore as any guy you'd want to
meet, but then there's this feminine, beautiful, professional, classy woman. I'd
work with her a thousand more times. She's the giving, heartwarming woman I've
ever worked with in this industry.

I know you're dedicated to perform comedy without profanity,
but are there some comics that curse a lot that you still find funny?

I've made a choice to what I deliver, but I also enjoy
brilliance and Chris Rock is at the top. His brain is like none other. He comes
up with stuff that, as a comedian, you think "Why didn't I think of that?"